With increasingly fast-paced lifestyles, a significant number of people suffer from anxiety disorders and panic attacks at some point during their life. The intensity of this oft-ignored psychosomatic problem, an expensive by-product of leading hectic and stressful lives, can range from mild to severe.  The most common symptoms include restlessness, irritation, sweating, pounding of heart, frequent urination, blankness, dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue .

The alarming rate of increase in the percentage of population suffering from panic disorders has become a major cause of worry for health organizations the world over. Moreover, it has created quite a stir in the healthcare industry. It has also resulted in rising demand for psychologists as well as augmented the sales volumes of various pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical companies have been proactive in providing drug-based solutions such as antidepressants, tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, buspirone, etc. These medicines, however, take time to show significant improvements. Also, patients taking these drugs need to be constantly monitored by their physicians or psychiatrists. Moreover, these pills, when taken over a long period of time, can be addictive and may also have considerable side-effects. Therefore, while medication still remains the primary treatment for severe cases of anxiety and panic disorders, people are increasingly relying on alternative modes of treatment such as meditation, yoga, etc. to provide long-term relief. Most psychiatrists also prescribe medications in combination with other treatments such as counseling, psychotherapy. The primary types of psychotherapy include behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, supportive therapy, etc.

Continuous research and studies have yielded quite a few path breaking findings.  According to BBC News, researchers claim to have discovered the genetic mutations responsible for most panic attacks. The genes of this mutation contain proteins, whose imbalanced production leads to the over-sensitization of brain to stress situations. This spectacular discovery is expected to lead to newer modes of treatments such as drugs especially designed to correct this particular genetic mutation.

However, no standardized treatment can be prescribed for all patients suffering from anxiety disorders as the panic-triggers and symptoms are unique in each case and differ from person to person. In addition, physicians and psychiatrists need be updated on latest medication and treatments available. This is one of the very few disorders for which treatments need to be tailored as per  particulars of each case.  Thus, psychiatrists need to study each case in depth, before they decide the course of treatment.